‘Fabulous’ Perry coy on special session prospects

Gov. Rick Perry caused a bit of a stir when he visited the House floor Friday, with lawmakers abuzz over the prospect of a special session.

“Is there anybody here in the House today we could ask about a special session?” Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, asked from the back microphone as Perry talked with lawmakers

As Perry left the chamber, trailed by an anxious group of reporters, Perry was asked how he’s doing. His response: “I am fabulous.”

Having a slightly less fabulous time are budget negotiators who’ve been trying to figure out how to put a final stamp on the budget deal.

Some have suggested a special session could be needed to tie up the budget, or is almost certainly looming on redistricting or perhaps other subjects.

Asked if we’re headed to a special session, Perry said, “We’re headed for the end of the session.”
Hard to argue with that.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said he has asked Perry to include issues including anti-abortion and pro-gun proposals on a special-session agenda. Many are talking about a special session on redistricting, and Dewhurst raised the idea that the budget deal may have to be finalized in a special session if disagreements can’t be worked out.

The latest impediment in budget negotiations is the long-simmering wrangle over giving $630 million in customer discounts on electric bills from the System Benefits Fund, which was originally collected to help needy people.

Senators tied the plan to a bill containing an additional $200 million in education funding sought by Democrats. But Democrats, particularly Rep. Sylvester Turner of Houston, said they won’t support that move. Turner said he can’t support taking money from poor people to advance a tax-cut agenda.

Republicans have a majority but they must satisfy Democrats, whose support is needed to reach a two-thirds threshold for taking money from the rainy day fund for water infrastructure, as sought by leaders.
Democratic support also was needed for a proposed constitutional amendment to dedicate that money. The dedication, if approved by voters, would keep the spending from counting against the spending cap, sparing Republicans a tough vote to break the cap.

Senate leaders have described the refunds as an important part of lawmakers’ effort to meet Perry’s demand for tax relief, along with franchise-tax breaks.

Perry, asked whether System Benefits Fund refunds count as tax relief in his view, said, “Hmmm,” calling it “an interesting question” and “a good one” and adding, “I’m going to have to give that some thought.”

House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, asked about Dewhurst’s push for a special-session agenda to include conservative causes, said, “I’m focused on the session we’re in, not any prospective special sessions.”
Straus said he was hopeful of getting the spending bill into a conference committee so negotiators could work on it.